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janes.com/idex
Win-Win from Thailand BY SAM J BASCH Thailand-based Chaiseri (Stand C11-12) is showing a range of its vehicle-related technologies this week. Having equipped the armed forces of Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines with its First Win 1 armoured vehicle, the company launched the First Win 2 during 2017, based on the same design. In addition to several improvements, the new variant has a larger internal volume, so is able to accommodate a total of 11 military personnel, including the driver, commander and gunner.
While offering significant ballistic and blast protection, the First Win 2 can be fitted with additional armour to reach Level 4 STANAG-4569 for the hull to increase protection for
crew and troops. This variant was recently trialled in the UAE.
Renowned for its run-flat system, Chaiseri Defence takes pride in the capabilities of the proven system. According to general manager Kan Koolhiran, a military vehicle fitted with the Chaiseri system was successfully tested (according to FINABEL A.20.A standard) to travel up to 150km with a flat tyre. “This is substantially further than competitor products,” he said. “Our system consists of a singlepiece run-flat fabricated from rubber, which is much more resistant to small-arms fire than metal.” The company has also been manufacturing track systems for tracked vehicles such as the BMP-3, continuously since 1988. ■
Technology from afar Polonez on the market BY CHRISTOPHER F FOSS
Taiwan-based National ChungShan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST, Stand 01B084), is highlighting its wide range of proven defence technologies this week. Foremost among some 25 items are its aeronautical products derived from the capabilities it achieved in the development of indigenous fighter aircraft, trainers and advanced trainers. Some of these products are the Cardinal II and Albatross UAS, the HF III supersonic anti-ship missile, the Sea Tien-Chien II (TC-2N) missile and the Kestrel shoulder-launched rocket system. In the area of naval systems, NCSIST highlights its abilities to construct automatic,
integrated and survivable surface or underwater ships to cope with maritime threats. NCSIST has an extensive range of surveillance systems, including some for naval applications. The Institute takes pride in its advanced observation systems, electro-optic and infrared equipment, uncooled thermal imaging sensor and camera, MWIR thermal imaging core and system, panoramic vehicular imaging system, laser rangefinder binocular and portable laser designator. In addition, it offers information and communication systems such as a VHF radio and integrated communication system and a portable small arms training system. ■
Belarus’ BelSpetsVneshTechnika (Stand 10-028) has confirmed that its Polonez ground-to-ground missile system is now in quantity production for the Belarusian Army and is already being offered on the export market. Key elements of the Polonez are the combat control vehicle based on a 6x6 truck, a combat vehicle launcher and transloader based on an 8x8 truck, a technical maintenance vehicle based on a 6x6 truck, and the actual rockets. The systems fires 301mm diameter rockets. The B-300 has a range between 120km and 300km and the B-200 rocket has a 50-200km range.
Each launcher has two pods each of four rockets in a sealed container, which are elevated prior to launch. The launcher on the rear of the platform can be traversed 30° left and right. The system only takes eight minutes to come into action and launch its rockets, and takes less than two minutes to come out of action. It would then deploy to a reloading area where the transloader would load new pods of rockets in less than 20 minutes. Target information would be received on the launcher for a target acquisition system such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, with this being fed into the computerised fire control system, which also includes a land navigation system. The two-stage solid propellant rockets are fitted with a nosemounted control system that contains the combined guidance system, which uses an inertial navigation system/satellite navigation system to provide a precision effect. The 8x8 trucks used are the MZKT-7930-300. ■
